Abstract: The mechanical lifter generally includes an inner lift member, an outer lift member, and a roller. The inner lift member is at least partly made of a metallic material. The outer lift member is at least partly made of a polymeric material and surrounds the inner lift member. The roller is rotatably coupled with respect to the inner lift member and is partly disposed within the inner lift member. The inner lift member is configured to move a first component in response to a force applied to the roller by a second component.

Abstract: The mechanical lifter generally includes an inner lift member, an outer lift member, and a roller. The inner lift member is at least partly made of a metallic material. The outer lift member is at least partly made of a polymeric material and surrounds the inner lift member. The roller is rotatably coupled with respect to the inner lift member and is partly disposed within the inner lift member. The inner lift member is configured to move a first component in response to a force applied to the roller by a second component.

Abstract: An improved SHVL for an internal combustion engine comprises an improved arrangement for locking a spring tower into a pin housing. The spring tower is provided with an annular OD groove as in the prior art. The pin housing ID groove is modified to have a two-step groove comprising two adjacent regions having different depths (different diameters) and having a distinct transition lip therebetween. A spring clip of the correct size seats properly in the spring tower groove and in the lesser-diameter pin housing groove, resulting in a correct overall length of the SHVL. Any oversize clip is caught between the lower lip of the spring tower groove and the transition lip of the two-step pin housing groove, resulting in a SHVL distinctly shorter than nominal, which is easily detected by either direct length measurement or a gauge.

Abstract: An alignment feature for preventing in-bore rotation of an engine tappet. A first portion extends outwards from a tappet and a second portion extends into a hole in the tappet. The first portion extends longitudinally past the mounting hole such that when the feature and tappet are installed in an engine bore, the entire feature is prevented from rotation within the hole. The second portion extending orthogonally from the first portion into the mounting hole need not be close-fitting to the hole. The first portion may be substantially semi-cylindrical, having a convex cylindrical outer surface for fitting the walls of a semi-cylindrical channel in the engine bore and a concave cylindrical inner surface for fitting the outer wall of the tappet. The pin portion is preferably cylindrical. Other pin shapes are possible. The alignment feature may or may not be hardened.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower having a high-lift follower portion that pivots on a pivot shaft disposed on a low-lift follower portion, and having a lost-motion spring disposed between the high-lift follower and the low-lift follower to bias the high-lift follower toward the high lift cam lobe. Various bearing cups and roller shaft sleeve embodiments are shown, all of which allow for improved shaft and needle bearing arrangements. A z-stop formed by the bearing cups and/or the shaft sleeve limits the range of travel of the high-lift follower with respect to the low-lift follower. Various z-stop embodiments are provided including a non-contacting roller shaft sleeve that grounds the high-lift follower to the low-lift follower independent of the roller shaft.

Abstract: A bearing design for a roller finger follower assembly includes an outer arm having a pair of openings, a shaft extending across the outer arm through the openings, a pair of lateral follower rollers mounted at opposite ends of the shaft; and a pair of bearings rotatably supporting the lateral follower rollers. The shaft is not a member of the bearing. Therefore, a force acting on the rollers travels through the rollers directly into the bearing and into the outer arm which reduces the potential for the rollers to become detached from the shaft. An inboard bearing design involves an inner bearing race integrated into the rollers. An outboard bearing design involves an inner bearing race integrated in the outer arm and an outer bearing race integrated into the rollers.

Abstract: A fuel pump actuator comprising a body portion and a contact end fitted to the body portion for actuating a mechanical fuel pump in response to a camshaft lobe. A roller mounted to the body portion is configured to ride on the lobe. The contact end of the actuator engages a plunger of the fuel pump. The body portion of the actuator is preferably a body portion of a conventional hydraulic valve lifter and preferably includes a lash adjuster and is reciprocally disposed in a bore on the engine block. Lubrication of the reciprocating actuator is also similar to the lubrication provided to conventional valve lifters and lash adjusters. The contact end of the actuator is configured to reduce the mass of the actuator. Several styles of the contact end and ways of attaching the contact end to the body portion are provided.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower having a high-lift follower portion that pivots on a pivot shaft disposed on a low-lift follower portion, and having a lost-motion spring disposed between the high-lift follower and the low-lift follower to bias the high-lift follower toward the high lift cam lobe. Various bearing cups and roller shaft sleeve embodiments are shown, all of which allow for improved shaft and needle bearing arrangements. A z-stop formed by the bearing cups and/or the shaft sleeve limits the range of travel of the high-lift follower with respect to the low-lift follower. Various z-stop embodiments are provided including a non-contacting roller shaft sleeve that grounds the high-lift follower to the low-lift follower independent of the roller shaft.

Abstract: An improved pin housing sub-assembly configured for reliable assembly and stability as an intermediate sub-assembly. The length of the plunger return spring is greater than the diameter of the spring well in the pin housing, such that the spring cannot be accidentally installed sideways in the well. During assembly, the non-compressed longer spring places the pushrod seat flush with the end of the pin housing. A shallow annular groove is provided in the inner wall of the pin housing near the outer end thereof, and an expansion ring may be installed therein when the plunger return spring is slightly compressed. The expansion ring holds the sub-assembly together as an intermediate but is displaced by the spring tower in a subsequent assembly step to become the locking ring between the pin housing and the spring tower, as in the prior art.

Abstract: A valve deactivation lifter including means for restricting relative rotation between the pin housing and the lifter body. When used in a V-style or slant engine, a prior art deactivation lifter can be subject to oil drainage during engine shutdown if the oil supply port in the pin housing rests in the “down” position. In an improved lifter, relative rotation between the pin housing and the lifter body is limited and the pin housing is oriented such that the oil supply port is never on the underside of the pin housing. Rotation may be limited by any of several means, for example, a ball disposed in a dimple in the pin housing and extending into a longitudinal groove in the lifter body, and a flat on the pin housing and locking means installed in the lifter body to engage the flat and thus prevent rotation of the pin housing.